7 Accent Wall Colors To Make A Tiny Bathroom Feel Bigger

No matter how many clever ideas you've tried to make your small bathroom seem bigger, these will only take you so far. At the end of the day, you are left with the square footage you have; so what can be done to make such a cramped space feel bigger when expanding the room isn't an option? Whether you're aware of it or not, there are certain colors that have a cramping effect, as well as those that can help your space feel bigger, and this goes for tiny bathrooms too. Before you get too overwhelmed by thinking you have to repaint your entire bathroom, though, you can reap the benefits of a larger-looking bathroom by choosing the appropriate color for an accent wall. 

An accent wall can work beautifully in your small bathroom, so long as you choose one that complements the other colors at play. As a general rule of thumb, many of the colors that will help your tiny bathroom look bigger are those that make the room look lighter, although there are exceptions to this rule. These can include go-to neutrals or soft pastels, all of which make the space brighter, helping to more efficiently bounce light and give the feeling of a larger space. Don't forget finishes of your accent wall paint: Choosing one that has a shinier finish, such as a semi-gloss or high-gloss paint, can help with creating more light thanks to its reflective nature. Here are some gorgeous accent wall colors to improve your bathroom.

If a bigger bathroom is what you're looking for, light blue is one of the best shades out there. Naturally bright and soothing, you can take advantage of its high light reflective value (LRV), which indicates how reflective — and therefore expansive — it is. One wonderful choice is Benjamin Moore's Light Blue (2066-70). With a 75.55 LRV, it is sure to make your tiny bathroom feel bigger. Use it alongside darker blues or light neutrals.

A white accent wall in a bathroom can be a splendid choice if you're working with neutrals in the rest of the bathroom. DIY painters on home improvement forums swear by off-whites, especially for accent walls, such as Benjamin Moore's Winter White (OC-21). This paint is sure to look good with neutrals like soft browns, dusty greens, blues, and warm yellows.

If you're looking for something a bit more refined and timeless, a sage green accent wall in the bathroom can be a great choice. This color goes well with so many other colors, including off-whites, blues, and soft grays that may appear on your bathroom walls, and it also pairs beautifully with fixtures like chic brass or black faucets or handles. One particularly gorgeous sage green from Benjamin Moore can be found in its Soft Fern (2144-40), which has a more balanced LRV of 56.67.

While a hot or bright pink might give off overpowering Barbie vibes, soft and dustier pinks can be a wonderful choice if you're seeking a less conventional but still lovely accent wall color.  It goes exceptionally well with wooden elements in the bathroom, as well as gold or copper accessories. Check out Dressy Rose (SW6024) by Sherwin Williams, which can pair well with soft beige bathroom walls. 

A soft yellow accent wall is a wonderful choice if you're aiming to add some lightness to your room. Pair your desired yellow with off-whites, soft browns, or beiges. In terms of accessories you can use in your bathroom alongside this accent wall color, blues, greens, and silvery metallics work nicely. For a particular yellow paint, you can try Citrus Mist (141) by Benjamin Moore, with a bright LRV of 78.21

Looking for a bathroom accent wall that is unconventional in color but still timeless and able to work with a variety of other colors? A soft purple — think lavender vibes — is an excellent option. It plays beautifully with whites and grays, as well as other neutrals. You'll also find that it blends seamlessly with both golden and silver accents, so it will likely integrate with whatever fixtures you have. Looking for a balanced purple paint? Mauve It N120-3 from Behr is a great choice.

As far a colors go, dark blue may be a surprising inclusion to this list, since darker colors are often thought to have a shrinking effect on spaces; the right hue, however, can create a sense of depth, which can make your tiny bathroom feel bigger. It can go nicely alongside whites, beiges, and grays, so you'll have quite a bit of freedom when choosing how to implement it. Try out In the Navy SW 9178 by Sherwin-Williams for a fun but refined shade. If an accent wall doesn't quite cut it, here are 21 beautiful paint colors to make your tiny bathroom look bigger.